My College Plan
Offering personalized college and career counseling
PHONE : 413.329.8291
Guiding families and empowering students through the college application and acceptance process.
take control of your
College Plan
Thinking about college can be very exciting. You may also feel a little unsure because you don't know where to start as well as having a busy schedule and many decisions ahead of you. This is normal. My goal is to give you direction, reduce your stress and help make your high school career more efficient and enjoyable. You will then have more time for your own activities, school work and other interests while effectively planning the next stage of your life.
what can college counseling do
FOR YOU?
Discover
your greatest self.
My core belief is to stay true to yourself and keep your voice. Drawing upon my years of experience in the counseling field, I will help you put your best self forward as we work together through the application, essays, and interviews. Every person has unique gifts and abilities; admissions staff love to read about what makes you who you are.
At a time when my future path was uncertain I could always rely on the support and direction of Ms. Sears. Not only did she have a vast understanding of the college process, she was exceptional at helping to match my needs to a college that provided a “goodness of fit.” She had a calming influence during a stressful time in my life. Now a college graduate, I often think about how grateful I am to have worked with Ms. Sears. I still share my future plans with her, and greatly value her feedback and support. I will always be appreciative of her help.
"
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AJ - Northwestern University
As my counselor, Ms. Sears offered genuine and personalized support, and had a keen intuition about my individual strengths and goals. She made an otherwise stressful and daunting experience an enjoyable and insightful one...I am forever grateful for her invaluable contributions to my success.
"
Margo - Skidmore College
"
I would highly recommend Ms. Sears to anyone looking for a college counselor who will get
to know them personally and
work passionately to help them
gain admission to a college that's right for them.
"
I am looking forward to
working with you!
"
Every person is unique and has different needs during the college season. Discover the many college opportunities available to you no matter your background. I can help you make the most of your college options and assist you during each step of the process.
Increased competition for admission into highly selective schools has highlighted the need for more attention to detail during the application process. I will help each student highlight their unique strengths.
Sometimes students can miscalculate their probability of getting into a four-year institution. I will help find interesting colleges which are a good fit for you.
Many young people are undecided about life after high school. Organization, problem-solving, goal setting, mapping out a personalized plan, and stress strategies are are a few of the skills with which I can provide assistance.
Athletes, artists, and musicians will benefit from extra consideration and guidance in portfolio creation.
To find out more about what an individual college plan can do for you, go to
I meet with students from the following high schools: Cohasset, Hingham, Scituate, Duxbury, Hanover, Norwell, Marshfield, Notre Dame, BC High, Thayer, and neighboring areas.
If you don't live on the South Shore,
no problem! We can still work
together remotely.
Sasha - Union College
news and updates...
College Essay Essentials workshop August 2017
June 29, 2017
If you are a rising high school senior on the South Shore, check out my College Essay Essentials workshop in August. Have your Common App essay written before the first day of school!
April 4, 2014
April 4, 2014
Extra in the College Connection series featured in the Cohasset Mariner and Hingham Journal by Stephanie Sears.
Forget about the college that didn't love you and pay attention to those that do. If you find that you still need to find that right fit, there are many excellent colleges with late or rolling deadlines. You can find happiness in many different places, but will only enroll at one.
I'm a text
January 17, 2014
The last article in the College Connection series of the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
I'm a text
December 15, 2013
The seventh in a series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
Attention Juniors! Your time has come...Certainly the more time that is allotted to planning, the more relaxed and comprehensive the schedule. This translates into a more calm experience for both students and parents.
I'm a text
December 7, 2013
My College Plan sponsored two buoys for the Cohasset LobsterTrap Christmas tree, located next to Atlantica.
I'm a text
November 29, 2013
The sixth in a series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
If you are a high school senior there is also much for which you can be thankful. You’ve made it through nearly 12 years of school. You have been endowed with a brain, which allows you to think creatively and logically. You have attended excellent schools in a very supportive community. The physical environment you live in is gorgeous and full of resources.
Q&A
November 15, 2013
The fifth in a series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
It does not surprise me that every year I’m asked the same questions over and over. They reflect students’ and parents’ deepest anxieties during the college process. I’ve included some of the biggest issues that have been brought to me over the years, and most recently in the past four weeks. My responses are based on data and anecdotal evidence.
I'm a text
November 1, 2013
The fourth in a series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
Whether it is a job interview or a new social situation, people generally want to make a good first impression. Applying to college is no exception. While students may attempt to awe the admission staff, knowing how best to do that is often overlooked and understated. Here is what I have found working on both sides of the table, as a college admissions counselor and a college consultant/guidance counselor.
College essay
October 18, 2013
The third in a series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
Terrifying, immobilizing, and stressful are adjectives students have described about writing the main 650-word Common App essay. It’s easy to understand the pressure. I have seen a page and half make or break a student’s acceptance. For a young person whose application was on the edge or wound up in the second pile, an insightful, well-written essay tipped the balance. Conversely, I have also seen a student present high grades and test scores, but grammatical errors and lack of depth in the essay resulted in a denial.
Finding balance
October 11, 2013
The second in series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
There is no doubt that the senior year of high school is an incredibly busy one, full of challenging courses and extensive activities. Navigating the college process can take as much time, if not more, than a class or sport. Here is a short list of what I commonly talk to them about on how not only to survive this first semester, but thrive.
From the Cohasset Mariner
September 20, 2013
The first in a series in the Cohasset Mariner by Stephanie Sears.
Thousands of students and parents clamored for the US News and World Report’s annual college ranking which was released last week. No surprise, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale succeeded in keeping their spots on the list. Many people rely on these rankings as they choose the colleges to which they will apply, without giving much thought to the things that are really important.
